Configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, including: selection apparatus to select desired characteristics of individual gage elements of the vehicle instrument cluster; illumination apparatus to illuminate the individual gage elements in accordance with selections made by the selection apparatus; and control apparatus operatively connected to the selection apparatus and to the illumination apparatus to receive the selections made by the selection apparatus and to furnish instructions to the illumination apparatus.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
       1. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, comprising: 
       (a) selection means to select desired characteristics of individual gage elements of said vehicle instrument cluster;  
       (b) illumination means to illuminate said individual gage elements in accordance with selections made by said selection means; and  
       (c) control means operatively connected to said selection means and to said illumination means to receive said selections made by said selection means and to furnish instructions to said illumination means.  
     
     
       2. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a parameter corresponding to an individual gage. 
     
     
       3. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , where: said selection means includes means to select an individual gage element. 
     
     
       4. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a hardcoded warning scheme. 
     
     
       5. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a range for a warning band. 
     
     
       6. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a color for one of said individual gage elements. 
     
     
       7. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a sequence of colors for one of said individual gage elements, said colors to change as a value of a measured parameter changes. 
     
     
       8. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select whether a color of one of said individual gage elements is to flash or to be solid. 
     
     
       9. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said configurable warning system can be configured to provide transitionally increased illumination of an individual gage element. 
     
     
       10. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means is responsive to audible commands. 
     
     
       11. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said selection means is operable by a user of said vehicle. 
     
     
       12. In combination with a vehicle, a configurable warning system for an instrument cluster disposed in said vehicle, comprising: 
       (a) selection means to select desired characteristics of individual gage elements of said vehicle instrument cluster;  
       (b) illumination means to illuminate said individual gage elements in accordance with selections made by said selection means; and  
       (c) control means operatively connected to said selection means and to said illumination means to receive said selections made by said selection means and to furnish instructions to said illumination means.  
     
     
       13. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a parameter corresponding to an individual gage. 
     
     
       14. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select an individual gage element. 
     
     
       15. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a hardcoded warning scheme. 
     
     
       16. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a range for a warning band. 
     
     
       17. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a color for one of said individual gage elements. 
     
     
       18. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select a sequence of colors for one of said individual gage elements, said colors to change as a value of a measured parameter changes. 
     
     
       19. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means includes means to select whether a color of one of said individual gage elements is to flash or to be solid. 
     
     
       20. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said vehicle instrument cluster can be configured to provide transitionally increased illumination of an individual gage area. 
     
     
       21. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means is responsive to audible commands. 
     
     
       22. A configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein: said selection means is operable by a user of said vehicle.